Worshipful Company of
Tylers and Bricklayers C har tere d
in
1568
NEWSLETTER ISSUE 28 | SEPTEMBER 2017
MASTER PIECE This 2016/17 Master’s year falls between two anniversary years for the Company, but has certainly not presented any lull in our activities or indeed those of the Master. On reflection, there is probably little that can be done to prepare adequately for the Master’s year. Although there is the occasional short period for one to ‘catch a breath’, it is pretty much full on. Whilst the support of our Clerk is fundamental to a successful year, the ability to manage and control a diary with numerous invitations is also extremely important.
Residing in rural Somerset all adds to the challenges, with the need to arrange travel and accommodation. Nonetheless, it is proving to be a wonderful experience, providing many opportunities that would not otherwise exist. The livery companies are at the very heart of the City of London, both in terms of their support for the Lord Mayor and the City Corporation and in their charitable giving. Whilst not a wealthy company, I like to think that we ‘do our bit’. The tradition and ceremony of the livery companies is all too obvious, but the work behind the scenes is powerful and relevant. As an example, the Livery as a movement will be donating circa £100k to the Grenfell Tower appeal. Where the T&Bs are able to make a difference is in the support of our three crafts. Recognising talented young craftsmen on an annual basis is valued by the industry. This was a year in which we also took the opportunity to make our triennial awards, which are given to the designers of specific buildings within the M25 that demonstrate our crafts at their very best. Having visited a number of the nominated buildings, I was extremely impressed with the results. Of course, it could be assumed that these examples are difficult to view, but there is one that is viewed by commuters at close quarters every day – the mosaics at Tottenham Court Road tube station. Well worth a visit! Whilst there is a connection with all of the other Masters during the year, we have a particularly strong connection with the construction trade livery companies. The Carpenters, Plaisterers, Plumbers, Paviors, Masons and Builders Merchants to name but a few have very similar goals to ourselves and are each active in supporting their crafts. This is evidenced at SkillBuild every year, and in this particular year at the Heritage Craft event in Lincoln Cathedral. Unfortunately, this event, covered in this newsletter, clashed in timing with the Master’s overseas trip, but Liveryman Bob Howard did a sterling job in coordinating our activities, which were very well received. The year can produce some interesting contrasts, which clearly demonstrate the breadth of our connections. www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
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(Continued from page one) Processing with all of the Masters in the Guildhall, visiting an inner city charity, joining the Royal Engineers at Chatham, and hosting the Annual Dinner are all part of the range of experiences that present themselves. There are many more! I suspect that the ‘dread’ of many Masters is the need to give speeches at appropriate occasions. Whilst speaking to large groups has been a part of my corporate life, a formal speech to gathered guests and dignitaries is a different experience. The after dinner speaking courses offered by the Livery Committee are invaluable, in that ‘short, sharp and to the point’ is the clear advice given! I hope I haven’t bored you?
IN THIS ISSUE The Master-Elect The Upper Warden-Elect New Court Assistants New Freemen and Liverymen Abbey Award to Past Master Lotd Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch The Company’s support of Charity Brick Carving of our Armorial Bearings Charter Day Visit to Bath Heritage Skills Festival Lincoln Explanation of T&B Coat of Arms More Wine Mysteries Master’s Trip to Languedoc T&B Window at Christ’s Hospital NFRC Awards & Quintain House Sand and Aggregate running out? Annual Craft Awards Trinity house 2017 Triennial Awards Obituary - Past Master Hugh Fuller Obituary - Past Master Chris Grellier Dates for the Diary
The T&Bs have a reputation, well deserved, of being a friendly and traditional ancient company. We welcome guests with open arms, and have strong adherence to etiquette and protocol. I strongly support this position, and as yet I have not witnessed a livery company that does it better. As Master, the warmth that generates from the room at a dinner is almost tangible. It is a great boost when the room gives a friendly cheer as the Master is introduced to speak. A sea of friendly faces helps to remove the nerves!
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I am very grateful for the support of the Company, which is demonstrated on a regular basis. As the governing body, the Court has been extremely supportive, as have the Wardens and the Clerk. I should also include the Chairmen and members of our committees who do an excellent job in ensuring that we take the Company forward in a considered and controlled manner. I should not forget our Stewards who do an excellent job in supporting our functions. I have to give special thanks to the Mistress, my wife Hilary, who has given me fantastic support over the year. Her advice and direction has been much appreciated and hugely welcome. Prior to being elected Master, I was given some sage advice by a good friend and Past Master of the Fan Makers’ Company. He recommended that I should avoid trying to ‘beat’ the previous Master, and that I should accept the tradition of the Company and pass it on!
Note: Only some of the many Company events each year can be covered in this newsletter. A more comprehensive account of the year’s past activities can be found on the website: www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk/events/recent
The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
I have tried to do both. Sadly, Michael Ross Collins passed away before Christmas and consequently I was not able to invite him to one of our dinners.
The Clerk: John Brooks, 3 Farmer’s Way, Seer Green, Buckingham HP9 2YY clerk@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
It is a privilege and an honour to have served the Tylers and Bricklayers as Master. This has been a very special year.
Newsletter Editor: Liveryman David Williams (Content compiled by the Upper Warden) Formal Photographs: Michael O’Sullivan www.michaelosullivan.co.uk Past and present newsletters are available online at:
David Szymanski Master 2016-17
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THE MASTER-ELECT Jeff Fuller It is hard to believe that as the Upper Warden’s Newsletter goes to press another busy year for the Livery is fast coming to a close. I’m sure I am not alone in feeling that as one’s time in office approaches the calendar seems to move more quickly than usual! My year as Upper Warden has been most enjoyable supporting the Master and his Mistress and continuing to Chair the Craft Committee in a year which saw us present both our Annual Craft Awards and the Triennial Awards. David and Hilary have presided over a wonderful year and the programme of events which we have enjoyed have been some of the most memorable that I can recall. All have been in splendid surroundings ranging from the modern grandeur of Haberdashers’ Hall to a wonderful dinner in the medieval surroundings of Hotel D’Alibert in Caunes-Minervois during the Master’s French trip. The preparations for my own year as Master began in February under the guidance of our Learned Clerk, although as we are due to celebrate the 450th Anniversary of the grant of our Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1568, preliminary planning commenced some time prior. The principal event will be a two month exhibition of the Company’s treasures at the Guildhall. The Lord Mayor has been invited to the launch in May and the Company will be holding a private viewing with a reception later in the summer. I am delighted to say that we have secured some interesting new venues for the coming year, although as something of a traditionalist, we shall be lunching at Carpenters’ Hall following the installation at St Margaret’s Lothbury when the Lord Mayor the Rt Hon Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley will be our principal guest - a fitting start to our anniversary year. The Annual Banquet is to be held in the splendour of Merchant Taylors’ Hall, a venue which I believe is new ISSUE 28 | 2017
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Catherine and Jeff to the Tylers and Bricklayers and where we again hope to welcome the Lord Mayor. Other venues include the Wax Chandlers’ Hall and Armourers’ Hall with Common Hall to be held in the familiar surroundings of Cutler’s Hall. The Carol Service will follow the successful format of recent years with the reception at the University Club and Catherine and I are working with St Margaret’s Lothbury to try and enhance our presence within the Church. A visit to Queen Elizabeth I’s hunting lodge in Epping Forest is planned for Charter Day 2018 possibly combined with a visit to the nearby Copped Hall. The Master’s Trip will be to the sunny climes of Southwold in Suffolk and will encompass the opportunity to visit the Adnams Brewery and Distillery amongst other attractions. It is hoped that there will be an overnight Craft Visit incorporating both Roof Slating and Tiling, and Wall and Floor Tiling with an informal dinner. As I pass the reins of the Craft Committee into the capable hands of my deputy Chris Causer I look forward to continue working with 3
that Committee and the wider Livery to strengthen our ties with our three great crafts and their associated industries, and in particular, to try and develop recognition and support for apprentices. As we as a nation prepare for a postBrexit world I firmly believe that we must now, more than ever, develop and value the skills of our young people and seek to improve the status of craftsmen generally. The aim should be that the best practitioners rival the status held by professionals in other fields and in doing so make our three crafts as attractive an option for those leaving formal education as other professions. I am hugely honoured and somewhat humbled to be the Master-Elect of this great Livery Company and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the coming year. On a personal note it will be a particular pleasure to be the seventh Fuller in this position and also at a time when my father is Father of the Company. I will certainly do my utmost to match their successful years in office.
Jeff Fuller www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
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THE UPPER WARDEN-ELECT Company helps, and where possible, to increase the number of donations made to the Trusts by freemen and liverymen.
LESLEY DAY
“It was a huge honour to be asked to become the first ever lady Renter Warden.” Whilst the role no longer requires the collection of rents, it does require an annual audit of the Company’s treasures. I should like to thank Dr David Allen for all his help in our recent visit to the vaults of Carpenters’ Hall. As Renter Warden I also liaise with the Company’s Stewards and I should like to thank them too for their help and cooperation. The Tylers and Bricklayers are known to be a friendly Company and it is in part thanks to the Stewards who welcome visitors to our functions during the year.
Malcolm and Lesley It would be fair to say that when I left school, I did not expect to spend most of my working life in the trade association world. My plans then were to join the Diplomatic Service and see the world courtesy of the Foreign Office. Life has its twists and turns and it was by chance that I answered an advertisement which began a 26 year career in association management in the ceramics industry.
There are a number of parallels between livery companies and trade associations - for example the need to improve standards in training in the crafts, to encourage quality workmanship across our three crafts as well as promoting the organisations to the outside world. In the time I have been a liveryman I have been more than happy to use the skills I acquired in industry to the benefit of the Company.
Over this time I was involved in a number of trade associations culminating in becoming the Executive Officer of The Tile Association, the trade association representing the wall and floor tile industry in the UK.
Helping those in need has been an important part of my life; having been an active member of Lions Club International since 1989, and so it was very easy to agree to become the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Company’s Charitable Trusts and Relief in Need Charity. In the time that I have undertaken the role it has been a joy to be able to meet and work with many of the charities that the
It was during this time that I was introduced to, and became a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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In the current livery year it has been a privilege to work alongside Master David Szymanski and Upper Warden Jeff Fuller. As Upper Warden Elect I shall do everything in my powers to support Master Elect Jeff Fuller and his wife, Catherine, during his forthcoming year as Master as we celebrate the 450th Anniversary of our Charter being presented by Queen Elizabeth I. I know that there are plans for a number of special events to mark the Anniversary, details of which will be announced by the new Master as his year begins. It would be wrong for me not to acknowledge the help and support of my wonderful husband Malcolm. He thoroughly enjoys his involvement in the Tylers and Bricklayers and the friendship that we have both been shown over the years.
Lesley Day www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
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NEW COURT ASSISTANTS CHRISTOPHER CAUSER
DR CHRISTINE RIGDEN
I joined the Livery in 2002. I worked for 35 years in and around the City of London, first in The Temple as a barrister, then in banking and finally as a solicitor.
I became a liveryman of the Constructors in 1993, and had the privilege to serve as their first lady Master in 2009/10. I have been elected to the Court of the Masons’ Company, and serve on the committee of The Power of Ten, my Past Masters’ Association.
For the last twenty years I specialised in advising clients (some public sector, some private) on PFI or Public Private Partnership projects, so I can claim to have originated huge amounts of tiling and bricklaying without touching a tile or a brick.
Having gained my doctorate, I lectured in Geomaterials at Queen Mary, University of London, before joining my husband in his civil and structural engineering consultancy in 2000. Have played active roles in professional associations, serving on the Council of the Geological Society and as Honorary Secretary. I have been appointed to serve as a Member of the Independent Monitoring Board for HM Prison Swaleside. I am ViceChairman and Trustee of the Kent Enterprise Trust, Governor of The Orchard School, Canterbury, and Secretary of the Wye Rural Museum Trust.
Major projects on which I advised include new teaching hospitals in Edinburgh and Birmingham and the UK’s synchrotron (a nuclear research facility like CERN) near Oxford.
“I can claim to have originated huge amounts of tiling and bricklaying without touching a tile or a brick.”
Very active in the City and the Livery, I have been elected annually as an Ale Conner since 2007. A freeman of the Educators, a Council Member of the City Livery Club, a member of the Bishopsgate, Candlewick and Ward of Cheap Clubs, the United Wards’ Club, the City of London Branch of the Royal Society of St George, the London Committee of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the committee of the Lady Masters’ Association and a Tenant of the Guildable Manor of Southwark. Served on the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Committee 2013/14.
I have always had too many interests for a working solicitor, including politics (former Parliamentary candidate), sailing, cricket, music (I play the cello slowly), fell walking and wine. Following retirement, I became Chairman of the Independent Advisory Panel for the Army Training Regiment (Winchester) and this takes up a day each week – it is very worthwhile.
My husband Stephen was Master Constructor 2012/13 and is a Committee Member of The Great 13, a liveryman of the Farmers’ Company, and a member of Candlewick Ward Club. When not in the City or sailing, we live on our farm near Canterbury.
I am married to Gilly, who is also a lawyer, and we have a son George and a daughter Rosie in their twenties. We live in the Test Valley in Hampshire. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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NEW ADMISSIONS FREEMEN WELCOMED TO THE COMPANY FROM JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 Mr Christopher Baldwin
Solicitor
Mr Michael Simpson
Architect
Ms Livia Williams
Trainer (Industry related)
Ms Kay Porter
Marketer
Ms Diana Malzer
Retired (Bookkeeper)
Mr Justin Morin-Carpentier
Financial Services
NEW LIVERYMEN ELEVATED TO THE LIVERY BETWEEN JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 Mr Stephen Porter
Draughtsman
Mr Karl Terry
Roofing Contractor
Mr Ian Wilson
Bricklaying and Masonry Consultant
Mr Michael Simpson
Architect
Mr Justin Morin-Carpentier
Financial Services
Mr Ian Kershaw
Tile Distributor
ABBEY AWARD In November 2016 Past Master Roger Westbrook CMG became the first recipient of the St Dunstan’s Medal in Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the Honorary Stewards’ Annual Eucharist Service. The award had been specially inaugurated by the Dean and Chapter in order to honour distinguished service to the Abbey. Roger had formerly served as Chief Honorary Steward and the presentation to him of the medal was made by the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall. The medal itself is of some interest. It was made by Cassandra Goad and, somewhat appropriate for receipt by a Tyler and Bricklayer, bears a design modelled on the Abbey’s famous Cosmati Pavement found on the floor of the Sanctuary. This is one of the pre-eminent works of art of medieval England and the stones comprising this magnificent pavement date back to the Roman period.
The above lists show members welcomed into the Freedom or Livery since publication of the last newsletter. All are congratulated.
Editor’s note In addition to the two Obituaries of Past Masters carried in this newsletter, the Company would wish to record the death in the spring of Michael Marshall, Master 1986-7 at the age of 92. As we go to print some dates of social events still need to be fully finalised and could not be included on page 24: The Charter Day visit to Queen Elizabeth I’s Hunting Lodge is advised as either 28 July 2018 or 4 August 2018. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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LORD MAYOR’S BIG CURRY LUNCH On 6 April 2017, a party of Tylers and Bricklayers, led by Court Assistant Simon Martin, attended the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch at Guildhall. This was the 10th annual Big Curry Lunch and was hosted this year by the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor Dr Andrew Parmley. The Royal Guest of Honour was HRH The Duke of York.
The Big Curry Lunch is a major fund raising event for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The Lunch this year raised £189,000, through ticket sales, a silent auction, prize draw, sales of produce and goods by four livery companies, and champagne and cocktail bars. The curry lunch, wine, beer, water and coffee are all generously provided free of charge by suppliers. The event costs are met by sponsors and by donations from livery companies, including the Tylers and Bricklayers which has generously supported the Lunch for a number of years with annual donations from the charitable trust.
The Charity makes grants to individuals through their Regiments and Corps and supports a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world. The Royal Commonwealth ExServices League and SSAFA are their key delivery partners in this regard – undertaking the bulk of their case work in the UK and overseas respectively. “Need” spans a huge array of issues, but can range from an electric wheelchair for a serving soldier’s disabled child to a stair lift for an injured former soldier, to care home fees for a Second World War veteran, or a much-needed respite break for a war widow and her young children. The Charity takes pride in being responsive and making a difference at a critical point in people’s lives.
ABF Charity has been doing its vital work since 1944, helping veterans of every conflict and their families. It envisages continuing to do so for the ‘long haul’ – supporting all future generations of our soldiers and their dependants.
The Charity’s total expenditure on charitable activities in the year ended 31 March 2017 was £9.2 million. The Charity’s grants programme is only made possible through fundraising. In sharp contrast to many of its partner charities, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity receives no public funding.
It is entirely reliant on a wide range of supporters and activities such as the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch to raise funds. Further information about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and its work can be found on the Charity’s website: www.soldierscharity.org. The Upper Warden plans to lead a party of Tylers and Bricklayers to the 2018 Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch which will be held on Wednesday 11 April 2018. Please make a note of the date in your diary and join us!
Court Assistant Simon Martin
The total raised by the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch over the last 10 years is an impressive £1.7 million. All the money raised goes directly to helping soldiers and veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity provides a lifetime of support to soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, when they are in need.
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THE COMPANY’S CHARITY Support of charitable causes is one of the four core values which underpin the role of the Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company and all liverymen are encouraged to participate in this element of our activities. The Company’s Charitable Trust enables gifts to be made to a number of causes with the emphasis on those with connections to the City of London and activities involving young people. The Craft Trust focuses on the crafts of tiling and bricklaying and our associated Regiment, the Corps of Royal Engineers. There is also a small Relief in Need fund which offers financial help to the elderly and needy of the Company or their close family. The Relief in Need Charity provided assistance to several within the Company. Details of the grants made by the Charitable Trust over the past 12 months are listed below:
Charitable Trust: Guildhall Library & London Metropolitan Archive Dame Kelly Holmes Trust City of London Endowment Trust for St Paul’s Cathedral The Brunswick Club Trust St Margaret’s Church Guildhall School Trust Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy City of London School for Boys City of London School for Girls City of London Freemen’s School City of London Police Widows’ & Orphans’ Fund St Paul’s Cathedral School Circulate Barts Charity Samaritans Central London Veterans Aid Canterbury Cathedral Trust Kids N’ Action DreamArts Child Autism UK RampAge Holiday Project London Air Ambulance Tower Hamlets Mission BounceBack Foundation London Wheelchair Rugby Club ISSUE 28 | 2017
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The recipients of grants made by the Craft Trust over the past 12 months are listed here:
Craft Trust: Ironbridge Museum Trust The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment
Following the recent fire disaster at Grenfell Tower, the Charitable Trust has made a donation of £1000 to a joint contribution from the livery companies and hopefully the donation can be publicly recorded as from “The Livery Companies of the City of London”.
CRASH Construction Youth Trust Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Ironbridge Roof Tile Making Workshop Winners of Skillbuild Competition Winners & Participants of the World Skills Competitions Corps of Royal Engineers – Craft Awards
WHO TO HELP......? The Trustees of the Charitable and Craft Trusts meet annually to review the increasing number of requests for help that arrive during the course of the year. The total value of grants made by the Trusts is based on donations received from liverymen together with interest on bank accounts and dividend income from the Company’s stocks and shares.
CHARITABLE TRUST The Charitable Trustees agreed some time ago that three yearly donations of £500 per annum should be paid, thus spreading the assistance. In addition to some 15 City based organisations that receive regular grants from the Company and are listed earlier in the feature, the Trustees try to split grants between City related, medical, youth, community and general charities. In June 2016, the Charitable Trust had to choose just five charities to assist from 33 equally deserving organisations. The Trustees, with agreement from the Court, agreed that new grants should be paid to five charities: Guildhall Library and London Metropolitan Archive, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Circulate Barts Charity, Samaritans Central London and Veterans Aid. 8
CRAFT TRUST Whilst the Craft Trustees do not have quite so many charities to consider, nevertheless, it is important that they provide grants to deserving organisations. The Trustees and Court agreed that regular grants should be paid to Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. Here follows just part of their submission for assistance.
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum was founded by Dr Roy Armstrong in the mid-1960s and has grown to become one of the most important collections of vernacular buildings in Europe. Located within West Dean Park at the heart of the South Downs in West Sussex, it is open to the public throughout the year. www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
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The museum is one of the region’s top visitor attractions, receiving around 140,000 visitors annually. It brings together a collection of 50 original historic vernacular buildings from across the South East of England. The buildings, which have been rescued from their original settings, tell the story of rural living in the region over 700 years.
Guildhall School The Scholarships Fund is providing vital support to over 560 students across our faculties of music, drama and technical theatre. Without such support many talented students simply would not be able to take up or continue their studies and fulfil their true potential. London Air Ambulance:
The national significance of the museum’s collection is recognised through its designated status. It has received many awards in recognition of its heritage and its work, and achieved the prestigious Grand Prix award from Europa Nostra in 2011 in recognition of its exemplary training centre for historic building conservation. Within the collection the museum has many brick and tile-roofed exhibit buildings. We have within the building collection, the Brick Drying Shed built in 1733 which came from the Causeway Brickworks in Petersfield. This area is used, as often as we are able, to demonstrate the art of hand-made brick making for our visitors.
Thank you! Here are just some of the thank you’s we have received: Kids N’Action Your generous gift of £500 enabled us to provide lots of different and exciting activities for our 650 disadvantaged inner city users. They were particularly enthralled by our off-site activities, such a treat for young people who are for the most part confined to their inner city overcrowded homes. Brunswick Club for Young People For some children it will be their first time away from home; for some it will be their first time in the countryside; for all it will be an experience they will never forget.
The appalling attacks of Saturday night (at London Bridge) have been a tragic experience for our capital city and all who live and work here. On behalf of our patients and all of us at London’s Air Ambulance, we would like to thank the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers for its support. It is because of your support that we were able to mobilise multiple teams, working alongside our emergency service colleagues, including the London Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, in assessing and treating multiple patients. In a major incident, our team’s expertise in dealing with traumatic injury, scene management and multiple casualties can make a genuine difference to patient outcomes. Whether we attend a scene in our helicopters during daylight hours or arrive in our rapid response cars at night, as was the case at London Bridge, your support allows us to deliver an advanced trauma team to those in need 24/7, 365 days a year.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE TRUSTS It’s really quite simple! You can complete a gift aided Standing Order Form for the Charitable Trust, Craft Trust or Relief in Need Charity, all available on request from the Hon Secretary. Even a modest donation of £120 per annum will go a long way to help increase the funds that the Trustees can grant to the increasing number of requests for help and by agreeing to Gift Aid your donation it can be increased by 20%. Lesley Day, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Trusts and Charity, would be delighted to assist any freeman or liveryman who would like to make a donation.
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ARMORIAL BEARINGS - in brick! At the Court meeting at Salters’ Hall, on 1 September 2016, Dr Gerard Lynch, a peer-acknowledged master brickmason, presented the then Master Tom Rider with a carved plaque showing the Company’s Coat of Arms executed in fine ‘gauged brickwork’. Gauged brickwork is the highest expression of the bricklayer’s craft. The special low-fired rubbing bricks are worked, post-fired, to precise shapes and sizes, for setting with the finest of joints for classical enrichments: the best artisans raised to the status of masons. During the 1980s Dr Lynch solely pioneered a revival in working bricks post-fired. Teaching ‘cut and rubbed work’, seen in England from early in the fifteenth century until the mid-seventeenth century when its developed refinement, as gauged brickwork, was introduced. He has been described as the world’s leading authority currently on this class of brick masonry. In 2016 Gerard became a freeman of the City and was admitted to the Livery. A momentous year, commemorating the 600th anniversary of the Company’s first Master, the 350th anniversary of ‘The Great Fire of London’, and the Company’s own publication ‘They built London’; The History of the Tylers and Bricklayers Company’, by Dr Penelope Hunting. Aware the Company did not have its Coat of Arms carved in brick and, with an eye to the final Court meeting with Tom Rider ending his year as Master, handing over to David Szymanski for 2017, Gerard decided to sculpt our Company’s heraldic logo in a panel of gauged brickwork.
PHOTOS DR GERARD LYNCH
The panel dry, the crest was scribed for ‘bas-relief’ carving to project from, yet still belong to the background brickwork. Sculpting intricate details, requires a ‘critical-eye’, artistic skill, care and patience manipulating mallet, chisels, files and abrasives, working the surface to gradually delineate and create desired shapes. Visualising three-dimensionally images drawn two-dimensionally is critical. Difficulties are greatly magnified carving to a very small scale and in brick without predictable structure - suddenly encountering small, hidden, inclusions, or voids, then appear huge; and sculpting the fingers of the right hand clasping the brick axe required great care. Because of this issue the Company name and motto is neatly engraved on two polished metal strips fixed on the top and bottom of the presentation box.
Creating this to ¼ scale to house within a presentation case, for easy carriage to Company events and to protect from damage, involved over 80 hours work. From one full-size brick, rubbed perfectly square, several miniature bricks were checked for square, and laid symmetrically to bond on a timber base with shellac-based mortar joints less than 1mm thick.
Formal presentation to the Master was made at the end of the meeting of the Court and Dr Lynch swiftly received a letter from him,dated 6 September 2016 that stated: “Your brick carving of the Company Coat of Arms is absolutely magnificent. I congratulate you on your workmanship. It must have taken you many hours. It is a wonderful addition to the Company’s treasures and a very fitting object for the 600th anniversary of the Company’s first Master. Thank you so very much and for coming to the Court meeting last Thursday to present it to the Company. It also made a most pleasurable finale to my last Court meeting as Master.” (signed) Tom Rider ISSUE 28 | 2017
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The tour lasted around 90 minutes and was an informative way to learn about this precious historic site. As the groups were separately taken around the ancient baths the guides gave a full historical account of the wonderful sites, statues, warm springs and other interesting areas. These included the Great Bath, the smaller East and West Baths, the Sacred Spring and the Thermal Sauna Areas where people used to cleanse themselves and gather to gossip.
CHARTER DAY TRIP TO BATH For our Charter Day trip this year the Master chose the magnificent Roman Baths in the beautiful City of Bath.
One of the unforgettable things to see, from amphitheatre style seating, was the front of one of only two truly classical temples remaining from Roman Britain, where the statue of the goddess Sulis Minerva was housed. The pediment carries the image of a fearsome effigy carved in Bath stone, thought to be the Gorgon’s Head which was a powerful symbol associated with the goddess Sulis Minerva.
On Sunday 30 July, 26 Tylers and Bricklayers and their guests gathered for tea and coffee in the Drawing Room at the historical Roman Bath House in eager anticipation. The organisers had arranged a display of roman tiles and brickwork for us to marvel at whilst taking our tea and coffee. The party was divided into two groups for the private tours, each conducted by a very knowledgeable guide.
After the tour we all met in the fabulous 18th Century Pump Room Restaurant, a striking neoclassical salon with a fountain for drinking the hot Spa water, where we had an excellent lunch, as always accompanied with great wine. Another truly successful Charter Day for the Tylers and Bricklayers for which we must thank the Master and Mistress for the hard work of putting the event together.
Michel Saminaden
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HERITAGE SKILLS FESTIVAL Throughout its 900-year history, Lincoln Cathedral has been an iconic landmark, a beacon visible across the great County of Lincolnshire and beyond.
Contributions of pieces made were auctioned off to raise funds to continue with the ongoing preservation of the Cathedral.
For the first time some of the City of London livery companies and Lincoln Cathedral joined together on 23-24 June to celebrate the traditional crafts and skills essential to the preservation of the Cathedral and other ancient buildings. To highlight these, twenty-six companies’ set up displays both inside the Cathedral and in marquees on the East Green offering a number of opportunities for the visiting public to see skills demonstrated and to try their hand at a range of crafts.
A Civic Procession attended by Lincoln and Lincolnshire civil parties, the Lord Mayor of London, Masters of the City of London Livery Companies and Members & President of the Freemen of Lincoln paraded from the Castle through the streets and into the Cathedral on a wonderful summer’s evening watched on by the visiting public and people of the City.
The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Andrew Parmley, carried out an organ recital at the Choral Evensong which was followed by a formal dinner held in the Central Cloisters attended by some 200 people.
The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers demonstrated the skillful crafts of encaustic tile making by Chris Cox of Craven Dunnill Jackfield; historical and modern roof tiling by Wright Roofing Limited; cut and rubbed brick moulding and bricklaying by Emma Simpson - replicating a section of one the chimneys at Hampton Court; and the clay sculpturing of gargoyle characters from Keymer’s Ian Martinson all of which attracted a continuous flow of people into the popular Tylers and Bricklayers marquee.
The event attracted over 10,000 people to view some of the crafts carried out by ancient guilds which together with modern trades are represented today by livery companies in London. Thanks go to Liverymen Jason Wright, Emma Simpson and David Fensom, and also to Adrian Blundell and Chris Cox of Craven Dunnill Jackfield, Ian Martinson of Keymer and our marquee sponsor Taylor Lindsey Limited. Particular thanks are extended to Bob Howard MBE who co-ordinated the event for the Company. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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22/08/2017 22:03:47
THE T&B HERALDIC ACHIEVEMENT Around five years ago the Company introduced a new version of our Armorial Bearings, commissioning an artist through the College of Arms to reinterpret our heraldic achievement and to produce a better rendition more suitable for future digital use.
College of Arms blazon (description) of the Tylers and Bricklayers Coat of Arms. Tinctures (or colours) are traditionally given in Anglo-Norman French: Shield: Azure (Blue) on which there is a Chevron Or (Gold), in Chief (on top of the Shield or in the top part of the Shield) there is a Fleur de Lys Argent (Silver) and on either side of the Fleur de Lys are two Brickaxes Or (Gold) in a vertical position. In base (or in the lower part of the Shield) there is a Brush Or (Gold).
Over the many years of our history, the Company has in fact used several artistic interpretations, all based on a form of words held for our livery company in the College of Arms. Today, we use three versions - the one displayed below, a grey tone version, and an outline version which is necessary for gold blocking, as used on our history “They Built London” and other official Company records.
Crest: On a Wreath Or (Gold) and Azure (Blue) there is a dexter (right) arm bent showing a sleeve half of which is coloured Gules (Red) and in the hand there is a Brick-Axe Or (Gold). The mantling is of two colours Argent (Silver) and Gules (Red).
Arms were originally held by individuals but in 1439 the Garter King of Arms William Bruges granted arms to the Drapers Company. Livery companies,among many other corporate bodies, have had right to bear arms since. A useful guide is given below of the various elements:
Motto: In God is all our trust let us never be confounded. (A pluralised version of the last line of the Te Deum Laudamus - an early English hymn of praise found in the Book of Common Prayer. Also relates to Psalm 31 verse 1 as presented in the 1610 Rheims-Douai Bible)
THE CREST
BRICK AXE HELD IN DEXTER (RIGHT) HAND
Situated on top of the Helm or Helmet. Sometimes used on their own.
(Note sleeve colours specified but not the angle of the arm which has sometimes varied over the years) THE HELMET OR HELM
THE WREATH or TORSE (Colours specified)
MANTLING (Colours specified) BRICK AXE
FLEUR DE LYS
(Colour specified)
(Colour specified) SHIELD or ESCUTCHEON
CHEVRON
(Colour specified, shape not specified and can vary)
(Colour specified)
Note that the shield bears the Coat of Arms. In modern usage this term is now often commonly applied to the whole achievement
BANNER (Shape and style not specified) MOTTO
‘GOLD BRUSH’
(Words specified)
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(Probably incorrect. Described elsewhere as a bundle of laths) 13
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22/08/2017 22:03:52
MORE ‘MYSTERIES’ OF WINE... Last year I shared some of the ‘mysteries’ of the Company’s Wine Committee. This year I can share some of the ‘mysteries’ of wine making revealed during a 3-day visit by the Committee to Bordeaux. One Sunday last September we took ourselves off to Bordeaux, a city that surprised us all by its style and its fabulous cleaned stone buildings. Over the following days we visited no less than nine Chateaux, the recently opened Bordeaux Cite du Vin and lunched at an iconic restaurant frequented by the wine producers of the Medoc. For two days we were hosted and accompanied by Max Sichel, one of the younger generation of the eponymous renowned Bordeaux Negociant. The Sichel family also own Chateau Angludet and part own Chateau Palmer. It was at Chateau Palmer in Margaux that we started our tour of the cabernet sauvignon grape dominated left-bank (of the Gironde) Chateaux. Everyone’s idea of a small, but grand, 18th century Chateau, Palmer’s first wine has a reputation higher than its 1855 third growth status. In addition to learning about their wine making and tasting their wines we much admired the beautiful grounds and the view of next door famous Chateau Margaux.
Chateau Beaumont
Our final visit of day one was to Chateau Pedesclaux in Pauillac. This small fifth growth 19th century Chateau had fallen into relative decline. With new owners in 2009 over €100m has been spent on the Chateau including the acquisition of additional vineyards from under the noses of the neighbouring Chateaux Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. Aside from the glass clad new wings added to the Chateau itself the most amazing addition has been the building, also glass clad, of an entirely new winemaking facility. This not only looks stunning (albeit not traditional) but is uniquely designed to enable the production of wine using gravity alone without any pumping being used in the process. Chateau Pedesclaux
From Palmer Max took us to Angludet where we met the Chateau’s renowned winemaker his Uncle, Ben Sichel, whose expertise is behind Angludet’s growing reputation and following. ‘Uncle’ Ben was extremely generous with his time and gave us a master class in his winemaking starting with his decision on when to begin the harvest. We noticed that he used oak barrels supplied by different coopers and thus began a fascinating explanation not just of the importance of oak barrels but of the forest and the individual tree from which the oak comes as well as the different cooper in determining the characteristics and taste of the resulting wine. In choosing which felled tree to buy the cooper will deploy sensory techniques of sight, nose and (even) taste to ensure they produce barrels that impart a consistent ‘cooperage style” to the wines stored in them. Using barrels from different coopers allows the winemaker to blend these characteristics.
On day two we headed off to the right-bank where the merlot grape predominates. Our first visit was to Chateau Fonplegarde, just outside the famous village of St Emilion. Fonplegarde is another Chateau that has been upgraded in recent years following its purchase by Denise and Stephen Adams whose interests include vineyards in California. Here, in addition to a complete renovation of the vineyards and winemaking facilities, the ‘improvements’ have included the reconstruction of one wing of the Chateau that was not only destroyed in the 20th century but forgotten until the unearthing of a picture of the original Chateau. The Adams’ have rebuilt this wing in exact detail to match the other original remaining wing.
After this tour de force Max and Ben invited us to a prelunch drink and to lunch. Angludet, though, is not some grand chateau building. Originally a farmhouse it is still a home and the hub used for Sichel family gatherings. Our lunch, accompanied by recent Angludet vintages, in the large family dining room overlooking the vineyards was all the more enjoyable for that. After lunch we travelled to Chateau Beaumont, a staple in the Tylers and Bricklayers cellar. This cru Bourgeois Chateau in the HautMedoc showed us production on a different and relatively mechanised scale compared to our morning visits. But Beaumont produces consistently good and affordable claret that the Company, and many of the Wine Committee for themselves, buy year in and year out. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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We travelled on to nearby Chateau La Dominique, owned by Clemant Feyat who started out as a bricklayer before founding one of the largest construction companies in the world. The winemaking facilities have recently been completely rebuilt to a design by a noted French architect – but unfortunately not a brick was in sight with the building clad in red wine coloured panels! Although the wines we tasted were excellent, La Dominique was the only visitor commercialised Chateau we visited and, in truth, the most memorable part of our visit was lunch in the roof-top terrace restaurant overlooking the vineyards and the neighbouring famous Chateau Cheval Blanc. 14
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- revealed! After that we headed back to the left-bank and Chateau Olivier in Graves. Here, in addition to having the opportunity to taste the must (grape juice) from the just pressed white semillon grapes, their wine maker Laurent Lebrun gave us another master class, this time about terroir, or soil.
We then set off for lunch at Restaurant Le Lion D’Or in Arcins, in the heart of the Medoc. From the outside this is the sort of restaurant in France that you would drive past without giving it a second thought. But we had been told to visit it if at all possible because this is where the local producers store their wines for drinking when they bring guests to dine.
As wine enthusiasts we all knew about the significance of gravel for the cabernet sauvignon grape and clay for the merlot. Laurent explained how the melting ice at the end of the ice-age deposited gravel in ridges along the left-bank of the River Gironde.
We arrived early. All around the walls of the restaurant at head height we saw glass fronted cupboards containing bottles from the most exotic Chateau and the best vintages. We decided these must be just for show. But then the restaurant started to fill up, the diners produced keys, cupboards were unlocked, bottles were taken out and corks were drawn! The menu du jour was simple but the food delicious. After lunching in such elevated Bordelais company we visited the Cru Bourgeois Chateau du Moulin Rouge in nearby Haut Medoc. Moulin Rouge is another staple of the Tylers and Bricklayers cellar. It is an unpretentious Chateau owned by the Ribiero family. We were shown around their wine making facilities and charmingly entertained by 3 generations of the family including Grandma. Our final visit of the trip was to Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme, an appropriate end to our tour as the Wine Committee had recently purchased a parcel of this Chateau’s 2015 vintage en primeur. We were welcomed by the owner, Francois Nony. During our tour of their cellar the question of oak barrels and, this time, the effect of the age of the barrel on the wine came up. Francois arranged for us to taste the 2015 blend from a new oak barrel and one a year old. Once again, the difference was marked and we were given another real practical demonstration, this time of the significance of the age of oak barrels.
Chateau Olivier
We then drove up the gentle sloping vineyard from the Chateau stopping to see the change from clay to gravel. At the top we were able to see a trench that had recently been dug in which we could see the layers of clay at the bottom with gravel above. Back in the cellar room we tasted, from the barrel, the 2015 unblended cabernet sauvignon from two different areas of the estate both with gravel soil. The difference in taste, down entirely to the soil, was remarkable and a real practical demonstration of ‘terroir’. On the morning of our third, and final, day we went first to Bordeaux’s recently opened Cite du Vin. Cite du Vin, Bordeaux
Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme
Even to wine enthusiasts the thought of visiting nine Chateaux in three days might seem hard going. But to our surprise and great enjoyment we found something new to see and to learn during each visit. Past Master Philip Parris ISSUE 28 | 2017
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22/08/2017 22:03:56
MASTER’S TRIP TO LANGUEDOC 21st to 23rd JUNE 2017
It was a beautiful hot June morning at Gatwick Airport as 27 very happy Tylers and Bricklayers gathered to commence a wonderful trip to the Languedoc Region of Southern France organised by the Master and the Mistress. A further six members had decided to drive. Following an excellent flight, the group was met by the Master and capable assistant, Liveryman Barry Blumsom, with a 50 seater coach that had been commissioned by the Master. First stop was the Master’s beautiful house in Azillanet where we were all treated to a very welcome drink and wonderful homemade cakes, tenderly created by the Mistress Hilary, her sister Pamela and Jan Blumsom.
The weather was very hot and the Master’s large and elegant swimming pool made a very tempting and inviting backdrop as we all sat outside enjoying the beautiful views of the Black Mountains in the distance. The Master had arranged rooms for all the guests in the most glorious chambres d’hotes in the pretty town of Olonzac. Everybody was impressed by their charm and tastefulness where we spent very comfortable nights.
sat outside enjoying the beautiful warm Summer evening. The next morning after a very satisfying breakfast the party made our way by coach, courtesy of our friendly driver Cyril, to the medieval Cité of Carcassonne. With its 52 towers, and two concentric walls totalling three kilometers in length, the Cité is full of interesting monuments and museums, and a vast array of shops with both local and national produce on show.
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The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire was the highlight of the Cité, where we were fortunate to hear a wonderful Russian male quintet singing beautiful harmonies.
There was much companionship, drinking of good wines and beers and an abundance of food including excellent chicken, lamb and merguez sausages all cooked on the barbecue.
After several interesting hours at the Cité, we were treated to a wine tasting at the Maison Lorgeril, an estate that has been making fine wines since the early 1600s. After a full description of the three excellent Chateau de Pennautier wines that we were about to sample, the owner opened the bottles and allowed us all to indulge in the lovely aromas and tastes of his fine creations. They were much enjoyed by all and this was followed by sitting down to a very nice rustic fish lunch.
T&B WINDOW AT CHRIST’S HOSPITAL SCHOOL The liverymen and freemen of the Company responded generously to my appeal during the final months of my year as Master.
The excellent desserts and cheese board, accompanied by an aromatic dessert wine, rounded off a perfect evening. It therefore gives me great pleasure to report that the Tylers and Bricklayers Window (shown above) has now been installed in the dining room of Christ’s Hospital School. The Master and Court Assistant John Schofield were able to view it when they attended the school’s speech day in May and took these photographs. In the evening, it was over to Maison de la Source, our Master’s beautiful abode, where we sat outside in the stunning gardens, all set up for dinner lovingly by the Master, Mistress and other willing assistants. The scene could not have been better, with such glorious weather and three barbecues cooking away in the large covered patio area.
Our window joins those of the many livery companies who support this famous school and together the windows adorn the outstanding dining hall (often referred to as similar to Hogwarts!). The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, we were collected by the very reliable and always smiling Cyril in his coach and taken to Toulouse Airport for the flight back to the UK. Everybody commented that they had had a wonderful few days in the Languedoc Region, and huge and heartfelt thanks must go to the Master and Mistress for their hard work and generosity in arranging this amazing trip. Court Assistant Michel Saminaden
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More particularly, our window serves to reinforce the Company’s ties with this famous school, founded by King Edward VI, at a point when our first presentee, and now Apprentice to the Company, Onyinye Udokporo, completed her highly successful time there. Tom Hoffman’s appeal when Master raised sufficient funds for two presentees and the search for our second presentee is ongoing with the assistance of the Archdeacon of London. Tom Rider www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk
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NFRC AWARDS The Master, and Upper Warden as Chairman of the Craft Committee, accompanied by their Ladies, attended the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ Annual Awards at the Park Plaza, Westminster on 19 May 2017, joining some 820 representatives of the roofing industry. The Awards were superbly hosted by BBC Breakfast and business reporter Steph McGovern and the Voice of the Balls Alan Dedicoat. The full range of roofing work from green roofs to our more traditional slate and tiled roofs is encompassed by the Awards. Steph McGovern, Andy Rowlands, Charlotte Hughes of Marley Eternit, George King of SIG
There were notable successes for several companies with affiliations to the Tylers and Bricklayers. Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd. won the Heritage Roof Award for The Boat House in Cheshire and many will recall that Will Emerton, Grandson of Liveryman Gerald Emerton, won this year’s Mason-Elliott Award. Newly recognised Master Craftsman Roof Slater and Tiler Andy Rowlands collected not only the Roof Tiling Award but also the coveted Roof of the Year Award for Quintain House in Gloucestershire.
Battening had to be devised to enable the tiles to fully follow the unbroken and smooth flow of the roof. Nearly 60,000 Marley Eternit tiles were used – all of which had to be hand cut!
“One of the biggest challenges was achieving a curved seamless finish, with such dramatic rises and falls in the design”
Quintain House as a project deserves mention as it was designed with a somewhat striking undulating roof. It was, therefore, a very challenging project at a technical level. The roofing was achieved using double camber clay plain tiles, apparently found versatile in creating complex roof designs of this type.
Andy Rowlands, Rowlands Roofing
The contract obviously required the highest standards of roofing expertise, craftsmanship and delivery to turn an ambitious architectural vision into reality. The stunning curves of the roof are accentuated by the beauty of the clay tiles. The result is a roofing masterpiece. To achieve such flowing beauty in the roof design obviously required a complex roofing sub structure. For the roofing contractor it meant working with extreme rises and falls in the roof layout to produce an elegant, seamless and curving finish.
Despite the modernity of the design, the finished roof of Quintain House is surprisingly sympathetic to the roofs of houses in the immediate surrounding area.
Jeff Fuller Chairman Craft Committee Andy Rowlands wins NFRC Roof of the Year Award for Quintain House, Gloucestershire
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22/08/2017 22:04:13
SAND AND AGGREGATES ARE IN EVER GROWING DEMAND. CAN PLASTIC WASTE BECOME A VIABLE SUBSTITUTE? Fake news appears to be prevalent today and it becomes ever harder to tell fact from fiction. One of the more surprising news reports to appear recently in the media is that sand is fast becoming a scarce resource in many areas of the world. Another recent report stated that waste plastic has become a huge global problem - we are being buried in the stuff. For the construction industry, the more intriguing aspect is that these two environmental issues have a link.
being created all the time, not all is economically accessible to reach and its removal damages the environment as well as affecting the bio-diversity of the sea-bed. Meanwhile, there is a proliferation of plastic waste. A leading news item in July announced that production of plastic just in the last fifty years could cover a country of the size of Argentina to ankle depth. As things stand, only 9% of plastic is currently recycled, the remainder contributing to landfill or floating about in the oceans, much breaking down to micro particles and progressively entering the food chain. The rest will no doubt eventually wash up on river banks and beaches around the world. Plastic waste is a particular problem for third world countries where often no-one is willing to organise, or pay for, its collection and removal.
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), sand and gravel account for up to 85% of everything that is mined globally each year. For years we have tended to assume sand is readily available in unlimited quantities. The sea beds are covered in it, our beaches abound in it, and sandstone forms part of the landscape. But modern cities are being built with, and often on, sand. Vast quantities are used in the construction industry to make concrete and asphalt, also screed and mortar. It is also a constituent component of blocks and paving, as well as many other manufactured products such as concrete barriers and sea defences.
At a time of rapid expansion and the need for ever more construction, the world has a growing regional deficiency in building sand and a massive surplus of non-recyclable plastic, much of which is non biogradable. In consequence many research institutions worldwide are actively progressing scientific tests to determine the efficiency of reusing waste plastic in the production of concrete. Solid plastic waste can be mechanically ground down to a sand-like texture. Other suitable plastic waste can be heat formed into small stonelike pellets. Suitably granulated or fabriformed, plastic such as recycled bottle waste - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) - introduced to concrete has been found to safely replace up to 10% of sand and aggregate. Tests carried out have included those on slump, fresh and dry density, compressive strength, flexural strength and toughness indices. The strength and cohesiveness can be further enhanced by the use of superplasticisers which increases the bond between the cement paste and the plastic.
Buildings, whether industrial, offices or homes utilise sand in their construction in large volume, particularly in foundations. A continued demand for housing and infrastructure means an ever growing demand for sand. Sand also has very many industrial uses: it is used to make glass, electronics, it helps extract oil in the fracking industry, it is used in tyre manufacture. The rapid expansion of cities in many parts of the world has involved substantial reclamation from rivers and the sea, and vast quantities of sand and gravel are being dredged and dumped to reclaim valuable land. Many low lying islands are also using dredged sand in an attempt to shore up their defences against ever rising sea levels.
The concept of supplementing sand and aggregate in construction is not new. Concrete has long been used as a suitable disposal repository for potentially hazardous industrial waste such as fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag and marble powder. Concrete not only “traps” the unwanted material but these particular additions, used in correct proportion, were also found to substantially enhance the properties of the concrete.
Even with this background it is however difficult to understand why there could ever be a shortage of sand. Of course proximity to the site of construction is a significant factor. There is reluctance to spend substantial sums transporting what is seen as a relatively cheap material over long distances. One important point to note is that desert sand, caused by wind erosion, differs substantially in composition from sand caused by natural sea erosion. For many commercial construction purposes desert sand is found too smooth, with its particles fined and rounded. Reputedly, it does not make strong concrete or mortar - the Burj Khalifa Hotel in Dubai was famously reported as constructed using sand imported from Australia - a classic case of “coals to Newcastle” one might think. Where sea sand has been dredged offshore in the Middle East it has often led to a loss of beaches. Natural sea action and currents quickly seek to redistribute what is left on the sea bed. And whilst sand is ISSUE 28 | 2017
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With construction of today’s large high rise buildings requiring deep foundations in concrete, and with new transportation projects in active consideration, it remains to be seen whether legislation may be used to enforce partial sand and aggregate substitution with plastic waste or whether cost factors may be sufficient encouragement. Making all construction sites incorporate some suitably processed plastic waste, if only in small part, is an interesting idea, possibly helping to resolve two growing problems.
Editor
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ANNUAL CRAFT AWARDS 2017 On Monday 6 March 2017, an unexpectedly bright, warm and sunny day, Trinity House was once again the spectacular setting for our annual Craft Awards and Court and Livery Luncheon. The current building was completed in 1796, but the Corporation of Trinity House dates back to 1514 when Henry VIII granted its Royal Charter. It is now a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community with a statutory duty as a General Lighthouse Authority.
Following a fine luncheon, the Master proposed our traditional toasts to the Queen, the other members of the royal family, the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation, and our guests. Principal guest Mr White responded on behalf of the guests, and gave a fascinating address concerning the building trade and, in conclusion, flourished a large ceremonial silver trowel which had been presented to him whilst an apprentice and still clearly provides much pleasure and inspiration. The Toast to the Company was proposed by Junior Liveryman Michael Simpson.
Over 100 freemen, liverymen, court members and guests of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers attended this important annual celebration, with luncheon taken and awards presented in the Library enjoying fine views over the Tower of London. The Master extended a warm welcome to everyone present and thanked our guests and particularly our award winners, their families and tutors. He introduced our guests of honour, including Mr John White; Group Chairman, McCarthy and Stone, and Capt Ian Sullivan; 1 RSME Regiment, Chatham.
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- Trinity House Whilst the assembled party were reaching for coffee and chocolate truffles, the Master and Mr White presented the awards which were announced from the lectern by Craft Committee Chairman and Upper Warden, Mr Jeff Fuller. The awards were presented as follows: The E&R Fuller award for Bricklaying Jemuel Chamos, South Eastern Regional College, Northern Ireland, course tutor Terry Holland The Mason-Elliott Award for Roof Slating and Tiling William Emerton, Leeds College of Building, course tutor Chris Messenger The Montgomery Award for Wall and Floor Tiling Gordon Cook, City of Glasgow College, course tutor Andrew Pollock The Stokes Royal Engineers awards - Class 1, Lance Corporal Lewis Owens; Class 2, Sapper Jack Fullard Finally, the Company of Tylers and Bricklayers was delighted to award Master Craftsman status to two exceptional individuals who have advanced their skills beyond the measure of conventional qualifications and are seen as mentors and role models within their trades.
Their names were inscribed in our new ledger of Master Craftsmen, recently commissioned and on display for the first time at the ceremony.
Master Craftsman Roof Slater and Tiler
A wonderful celebration, and much enjoyed by all who attended.
Andrew Rowlands
Court Assistant John Schofield
Master Craftsman Bricklayer
Photos Courtesy John Schofield
Neal Cooper
Michel Saminaden to be next Renter Warden The Renter Warden in Nomination is Michel Saminaden, and he will be installed as Renter Warden in October. Michel joined the Company in 2007 and was appointed to the Court in 2012. He was Chairman of the Membership Sub-Committee for a couple of years and has also served on the Craft Committee. He then joined the Communications Committee when there was an amalgamation of Committees. Michel is currently Chairman of the Communications Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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22/08/2017 22:04:16
TRIENNIAL AWARDS 2017 FOR BRICKWORK, ROOF SLATING AND TILING & WALL AND FLOOR TILING
New Place, Park Road, Banstead, owned by Mr Tony Dakin received the Roof Slating and Tiling Award with Karl Terry Contractors Ltd. the main contractor.
The Company’s prestigious Triennial Awards were presented in the magnificent surroundings of Grocers’ Hall on Thursday 6 July 2017 by the Master, in company with Alderman Charles Bowman, the Senior Alderman Below the Chair. The Triennial Awards recognise excellence in the Company’s three crafts of Roof Slating and Tiling, Bricklaying and Wall and Floor Tiling. Schemes must be completed in the preceding three year period and lie within the catchment area prescribed by the M25 motorway.
The Wall and Floor Tiling Award went to TRI Contracting Ltd. for the Paolozzi Mosaics at Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.
The Brickwork Award was won by Grangewood Brickwork Services Ltd. for the Newport Street Gallery, owned by Science Ltd.
Newport Street Gallery: Above - Exterior Below - the internal rounded stair-wells in glazed brick and matching mortar
Bob Allies, The Chairman of the final judging panel, emphasised the high quality of the entries and said of the awards, “they recognise the fundamental contribution of craftsmanship to the realisation of fine architecture. It’s what makes buildings beautiful, and it’s also what makes them last.” It was especially pleasing to see Liveryman and Master Craftsman Roof Slater and Tiler Karl Terry’s company receive an award and to note that the foreman tiler on the Paolozzi Mosaics had worked as an apprentice to Liveryman Don Slade on the original mosaics. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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The Mosiacs won the Tylers and Bricklayers Triennial Award in 1984.
OBITUARY
The standard was sufficiently high for the judging panel to nominate a number of schemes for special commendations which may well have won in many previous years. In the brickwork category a wonderful example of tuck pointing at 31 Great James Street, WC1 was recognised and the panel felt it necessary to also recognise the encaustic floor tiling at St Stephen’s Hall in the Palace of Westminster and the mosaics at the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs at Westminster Cathedral.
HUGH WILLIAM FRANK FULLER 1933 – 2017
MASTER 1984-85
After the presentation of awards, Alderman Charles Bowman and the Master brought proceedings to a close commenting on the overall high standard of entries once again.
Hugh was the eldest son of R H (Bob) Fuller (Master 1962 – 63) and brother of Court Assistant William G H Fuller (Master 1995 – 96).
“The Triennial Awards were, once again, a great success.”
Hugh was elected to the Livery in 1954.
The Master, Wardens, Alderman and guests then moved to the elegant Main Hall where luncheon was served with excellent wines. There followed a short speech by Alderman Charles Bowman after which the Master closed the proceedings by thanking everyone for their attendance at this prestigious event. He paid special thanks to all the entrants and to Upper Warden Jeff Fuller and his dedicated team who put so much hard work into the event, ensuring that the Triennial Awards were, once again, a great success.
He was educated at Bradfield College and subsequently apprenticed to the building company of A E Symes of Stratford, East London. After two years’ National Service in the Royal Engineers, which had been deferred, he joined the family building business in Walthamstow in which he worked for some forty years. Many of these were spent working alongside his cousin Peter Fuller (Master 1981 – 82), the current Father of the Company.
The Company’s gratitude is expressed to all those who assisted with the arrangements, assessment and presentation of the 2017 Triennial Awards. The short listing was carried out by members of the Craft Committee and the assessments were carried out in stages by two preliminary assessment panels. The preliminary assessors were Don Slade, David White, Emma Simpson, David Williams, Chris Causer (Deputy Chairman, Craft Committee) and Jeff Fuller (Upper Warden and Chairman, Craft Committee) with additional input from Bob Howard MBE and David Cole-Adams.
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In 1956 he married Ann and they had five children, the youngest of whom William Martin was elected to the Livery in 1996. Last autumn Hugh and Ann celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary.
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In his retirement they moved to Southwold on the Suffolk coast where Hugh was active in assisting the PCC of St Edmund’s Church with his advice on maintenance of the fabric. He was involved, also, in the restoration of the Southwold Museum and the financing and setting up of the local cinema.
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He died earlier this year after a long and painful illness, bravely endured, just before his 84th birthday.
The Final assessments were carried out by Bob Allies (Chairman), David Szymanski (The Master), Jason Wright, Don Slade and Jeff Fuller (Upper Warden and Chairman, Craft Committee). The Company is extremely grateful to Liveryman Clare Banks for photographing many of the schemes and to the generosity of our sponsors the Association of Brickwork Contractors, Liveryman Colin Beeck, the Brick Development Association, Craven Dunnill Jackfield Ltd., Fullers Builders Ltd., the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, the Tile Association, Welsh Slate, Wyvern Properties Ltd. and York Handmade. Paolozzi photo courtesy of TRI Contracting. ISSUE 28 | 2017
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
OBITUARY
2017
CHRISTOPHER GRELLIER
Thursday Court Meeting and Livery Dinner 7 Sept Vintners’ Hall
1929 – 2016
Friday 29 Sept
MASTER 1993-94
Thursday Court Meeting - Carpenters’ Hall 5 October Installation and Annual Service St Margaret’s Lothbury Lunch at Carpenters’ Hall
Past Master Christopher Grant Harley Grellier passed away on 28 May 2016 at the age of 87, the Company receiving the news a little too late for inclusion of an obituary in last year’s newsletter. A Chartered Surveyor by profession, living in Somerset, he was married to Annabel.
Thursday Court Meeting - Wax Chandlers’ Hall 14 Dec
2018 Thursday Common Hall & Dinner - Cutlers’ Hall 8 February
“The first recollection I have of meeting Chris and Annabel was in July 1965 at the Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ summer reception aboard the MS Wellington, a ship moored by the embankment, the Hall of the Master Mariners. Paul was also there although he wouldn’t remember it. Chris had just joined the Livery as Junior Liveryman and this was the start of a long and enjoyable association with the Company, of which he was extremely proud to be a member. Chris followed in the family footsteps of five previous Grellier Masters stretching back to 1850 and the family is the longest serving of any of the current families in the Tylers and Bricklayers.
Tuesday Pancake Races, Guildhall Yard 13 February Monday 5 March
Court Meeting and Craft Awards Lunch Trinity House
Friday United Guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedral 16 March Thursday Annual Guest Banquet - 450th Anniversary 10 May Merchant Taylors’ Hall Tuesday 15 May
It was not long before Chris and Annabel took an active interest in the Company, being regular attendees at the functions and for a number of years organising annual dances for the Livery. Many of you know that Chris was very nimble on the dance floor! He also enjoyed the annual golf days that were held at the Royal Mid Surrey. Chris joined the Court in 1986, and in 1993 became the sixth Grellier to be Master of the Company. He was an excellent Master and gave us a most enjoyable year. I am sure many of those here will have fond memories of that year particularly at Carpenters’ Hall. He served as an active member of the Court until 2002 when he joined the Court Emeritus as a senior member.
Sons of the Clergy Festival at St Paul’s Cathedral
Thursday Exhibition of T&B Treasures at Guildhall opens 24 May Thursday Court Meeting and Masters’ & Clerks’ Lunch 14 June Armourers’ Hall 20/21 June Master’s Trip to Southwold Monday Common Hall for Election of Sheriffs and 25 June optional lunch Thursday Guildhall Reception & Viewing of Exhibition 5 July Thursday Court Meeting and Court Lunch 6 Sept
The Company will remember him with great fondness and gratitude for his unwavering support and I am so glad that it was the Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company that gave him so much pleasure for over 50 years.” Nick Carter
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Carol Service, St Margaret’s Lothbury Buffet Supper - City University Club
A memorial service was held at St Lawrence Church, Cucklington on Tuesday 21 June 2016 attended by several members of the Company and Nick Carter (Master 1992-93) delivered the following eulogy:
ISSUE 28 | 2017
Common Hall for the Election of the Lord Mayor and optional lunch
Wax Chandlers’ Hall
Thursday Court Meeting, Installation and Annual 4 October Service, Lunch - Carpenters’ Hall NB: The Company’s principal events are in bold. The events included in italics are restricted in the members eligible to attend. All dates and venues are subject to confirmation by the Clerk and are provided here for diary planning purposes only. The dates of additional social events, trips, and the Charter Day will be advised later when finalised in the calendar. 24
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